FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Haiti's Independence Day
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
January 1, 2014
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Haiti as you celebrate the 210th anniversary of your independence.
I spent more than 30 years representing Massachusetts as Lieutenant Governor and Senator, and I am proud to this day that my state is home to the third largest Haitian-American community in the United States. I was proud that my daughter’s first work as a doctor was in Haiti where she experienced firsthand the determination and resilience of proud Haitians who cared so deeply about their country’s future. Having known and worked so closely with this exceptional community, I hold a special appreciation for Haiti’s journey.
I was proud to introduce bipartisan legislation in the Senate to help Haiti rebuild and develop in a way that creates an opportunity to emerge better off and better prepared. And that’s why I worked closely with dozens of families in Massachusetts to expedite adoptions of Haitian orphans that had already been underway before the earthquake. As Secretary of State, I will continue to make Haiti a priority.
The United States joins you today in commemorating the courage and spirit of independence of all Haitians as well as the ties of friendship and family that bind our peoples together.
On this special day, I extend best wishes and reiterate our strong commitment to help all Haitians as they chart a path toward greater peace, security and, prosperity.
I spent more than 30 years representing Massachusetts as Lieutenant Governor and Senator, and I am proud to this day that my state is home to the third largest Haitian-American community in the United States. I was proud that my daughter’s first work as a doctor was in Haiti where she experienced firsthand the determination and resilience of proud Haitians who cared so deeply about their country’s future. Having known and worked so closely with this exceptional community, I hold a special appreciation for Haiti’s journey.
I was proud to introduce bipartisan legislation in the Senate to help Haiti rebuild and develop in a way that creates an opportunity to emerge better off and better prepared. And that’s why I worked closely with dozens of families in Massachusetts to expedite adoptions of Haitian orphans that had already been underway before the earthquake. As Secretary of State, I will continue to make Haiti a priority.
The United States joins you today in commemorating the courage and spirit of independence of all Haitians as well as the ties of friendship and family that bind our peoples together.
On this special day, I extend best wishes and reiterate our strong commitment to help all Haitians as they chart a path toward greater peace, security and, prosperity.
